Set in early 19th century Korea, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung stars Shin Se-kyung as Goo Hae-ryung, one of the first female historians within the Office of Royal Decrees. Hae-ryung meets a young author of romance novels who happens to be clueless about women in real life. Little does Hae-ryung know that the author is really Prince Dowan, youngest son of the King. Cha Eun-woo (of the Kpop group Astro) plays Prince Dowan, also known as Li Rim, a person who has lived a sheltered life within the royal palace.
Under the tutelage of Officer Min Woo-won (Lee Ji-hoon of Legend of Blue Sea), Hae-ryung learns the difficulties a true historian must navigate within the politics of the government. Mysteries surrounding the death of the previous king twenty years earlier embroil Hae-Ryung and her follow historians in palace intrigue and power struggles. Left State Councilor Min Ik-pyeong (Choi Deok-moon) and King Yi Tae (Kim Min-sang) work to hide the truth in order to keep the throne for the King and Crown Prince Yi Jin (Park Ki-woong). Meanwhile, Dowager Queen Yim (Kin Yeo-jin of Vincenzo), Hae-Ryung’s brother (Gong Jung-hwan) and their allies bide their time to reveal it. In the middle of the mystery is Prince Dowan, the person Hae-ryung grows closer to each day and who she will strive to protect.
- Series Title: Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (Korean: 신입사관 구해령)
- Starring: Shin Se-kyung, Cha Eun-woo, Lee Ji-hoon, Park Ki-woong
- Written by: Kim Ho-soo
- Directed by: Kang Il-soo, Han Hyun-hee
- Network: MBC
- Where to watch in the US: Netflix
- Premier Date: July 17, 2019
- # of episodes: 16
- KafeNook Rating: 4.7 sips
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung — !!Spoilers Ahead!!
Here is what I love about Kdramas. I start out thinking, “This will be a cute romcom about a female historian and a prince.” And then, it turns out to be so much more. Coming into this show, I knew nothing about the role of historians in Joseon era Korea. The depiction of an organization that is responsible for writing down events as they happen – without injecting one’s own views – is intriguing.
Imagine a time before recording devices where historians might have sat in on sessions of Congress or Presidential meetings, faithfully recording every word. That’s not an easy task. In college, I tried taking word for word notes during lectures – and usually failed. I simply couldn’t write (or even type) as fast as people talk. (If only my mom had taught me shorthand.) I would paraphrase or jot down what seemed like the most important points (i.e. those that would be on the test) and hoped the book or handout covered the rest. Fortunately, I managed to graduate, but I’m pretty sure I would fail at being a Josean era historian.
The Historian and The Prince
This was my first time watching both Shin Se-kyung and Cha Eun-woo in a drama and they play their parts to perfection. Shin Se-kyung beautifully portrays Hae-ryung’s intelligence, spirit, and heart. Having watched the Arthdal Chronicles season one, I was a little worried about the upcoming cast changes including that of Tan Ya, previously portrayed by Kim Ji-won. Watching Shin Se-kyung in this drama, I have no qualms about her stepping into the role of Tan Ya. As Hae-ryung, she must learn to objectively record palace events – not an easy task as her feelings for Dowan grow. Look at how many times her mentor, Min Woo-won, makes her re-write a daily record because he can tell from reading it that she likes Dowan. Yikes? What would future historians think?
Cha Eun-woo plays Prince Dowan with equal amounts of boyish charm and humor. At the same time, he imbues him with a sense of isolation and heartache. (Fittingly, Dowan means “remote island”.) Dowan may appear to be a clueless, hopeless romantic in the beginning, but he grows increasingly interesting as layers to his character are revealed. Much of his depth of character comes from his close relationship with eunuch Heo Sam-bo (Sung Ji-ru), the man who raised him. Sam-bo, who is parent/confidant/guardian to Dowan, clearly loves his charge. There is no doubt he is the reason Dowan is a caring, intelligent young man despite his lonely existence.
Enemies to Lovers
Hae-ryung and Prince Dowan provide many of the best moments in the drama as they go from “mortal enemies” to friends and finally to lovers. Using modern romance elements, they have an initial “meet-cute” in the bookstore. Dowan, who writes romance novels under the sudo name, Maehwa, thinks he’s looking at a fan of his work when he spots Hae-ryung reading one of his books. When she yawns, his eyes grow in horror. Does she think so little of his writing? Things only get worse. In need of work, Hae-ryung pretends to be author Maehwa, at a book signing event and is found out by Dowan himself.
Once Hae-ryung becomes an apprentice historian at the palace, Dowan thinks he can have his vengeance on his mortal enemy. Instead, the more he sees her, the more this sheltered prince longs for her company. At the same time, Hae-ryung believes she has finally found a friend. The more time they spend together, the more these two lonely souls come to care for and want to protect each other.
The Mysteries
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung nicely doles out the mysteries while upping the stakes and tension along the way. Who is Ho Dam and why does the King want all books about Ho Dam destroyed? What happened at Seoraewon twenty years ago, the time of the deposed king’s death? What secret is Hae-ryung’s brother, Jae-kyeong, hiding and what relationship does he have to the woman who knows how to inoculate for smallpox? How is Hae-ryung involved in Saeraewon?
Why does the King allow his oldest son, the Crown Prince, so much latitude in ruling the country but give younger brother, Prince Dowan, little thought? Is Dowan really the king’s son? Why does the Dowager Queen Yim seem to have all the answers? (Speaking of the Dowager Queen, I enjoyed watching actress Kin Yeo-jin in a very different role from the sadistic attorney she plays in Vincenzo. No high energy aerobics for this Dowager Queen!)
The Historians
While the mysteries within the show are interesting, it’s the scenes surrounding the historians that set this drama apart from other historical Kdramas. The initial view of the historians at the Office of Royal Decrees is one of men who believe that women have no place in their ranks. They harass and belittle the four, young woman apprentice historians before grudgingly realizing they need to train them. Over time, the women prove they are more than capable of the job.
Several times during the drama, the historians grapple with the desire to use the Daily Record to reveal a truth, when their role is to faithfully record history. This makes it all the more difficult for them as secrets abound in the palace. Integrity is put to the test when one historian uses the Daily Record to blackmail the Crown Prince in order for free a group of Christians. Even though the historian’s actions are noble, Officer Min Woo-wo rightfully sees to the removal of the historian from his post.
It’s a lesson for Hae-ryung, who is also tempted to use information from the Daily Record to protect Dowan and reveal injustice. However, she realizes the importance of maintaining her principles as an historian. When ordered by the King to show him her Daily Record, her refusal puts her in jail. This leads the entire group of historians to dramatically stand up to the King in protest of his actions.
Supporting Storylines
Crown Prince Yi Jin has everything it takes to be a great ruler. The drama shows that he truly cares for the plight of his people and becomes frustrated at the greed of government officials, many of whom he doesn’t trust. Sadly, this mistrust extends to his own wife, the Crown Princes. She is the daughter of Left State Councilor Min Ik-pyeong and sister to Yi Jin’s childhood friend, Office Min Woo-won. Yi Jin has little interest in his wife, but also recognizes, and feels bad about, the position this puts her in.
Yi Jin shows sincere affection for his brother, Dowan, but is ignorant of the lonely life Dowan leads. It’s not until later in the drama, when his position as Crown Prince is at risk, that his love for Dowan is tested. While Yi Jin makes an initial misstep, he happily makes the right decision in the end (I knew he would!). Yi Jin develops a friendship of sorts with apprentice historian Song Sa-hee (Park Ji-hyun) who is also a spy for Min Ik-pyeong. By the end of the show, there is a lovely little nod to their relationship when Sa-hee, now a teacher, receives books for her students from a mysterious benefactor at the palace.
Best Tear-jerker Moments
There are several great tear-jerker moments from Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung. The first happens while Hae-ryung and Prince Dowan stand outside of her house after learning that Dowan is to be married. Hae-ryung knows she needs to let Dowan go, so tells him that she hopes his future wife will be someone with a big heart who will love him. When Dowan confesses how much he cares for Hae-ryung, she responds by saying she doesn’t feel the same way. Hae-ryung leaves Dowan standing in the yard and enters her house where she falls with her back against the closed door and sobs. Outside, Dowan’s shoulders wrack with grief as he cries.
One of the most heart-wrenching moments comes after Prince Dowan confronts the King to ask him if he ever loved him or even thought of him. The King gives no answer which is an answer of its own. Hae-ryung by his side, Dowan returns to his home and breaks down – crying by the pond. Hae-ryung holds his shoulders as she attempts to comfort him, tears streaming down her own face. It’s in this moment that the drama beautifully captures the loneliness and longing for love the prince has experienced his entire life. Like, Hae-ryung, I felt my heart breaking for him.
Finally, Prince Dowan’s agony is further explored when he goes before his grandmother, the Dowager Queen. Having learned the truth of his identity, he tearfully asks his grandmother why she let him live if his existence would be one of isolation and loneliness. Even though she did it to protect him, his entreaty makes her realize what kind of life her decision relegated him to. Through her own tears, she explains her justification and hopes for him as the future King. However, this only proves that she does not know her own grandson very well.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung Ending
Things really heat up in the final episodes of Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung. Hae-ryung’s brother is revealed to have set up the former king. But wait – he did so under duress. Left State Councilor Min Ik-pyeong, afraid of the western ideas the former king advocated, is the one who killed him. Officer Min Woo-won says a tearful goodbye to his father, Min Ik-pyeong, before Ik-pyeong is executed. Dowan tells the Queen Dowager that he doesn’t want to be King.
Fast forward three years. Crown Prince Yi Jin is now King. (He will be a good one!) Plus, he is no longer married to the Crown Princes, a fact that she is happy about. Woo-won is over the morning period for his father and can go back to being a historian. Prince Dowan, sporting spectacles, returns from his latest trip abroad looking for Hae-ryung. The two of them have a cozy reunion, prompting eunuch Heo Sam-bo to ask why the lover birds don’t just get married since they practically live together already. Then Hae-ryung, now a historian in full, goes off to work at the palace. All in all, it’s a lovely and fitting ending.
Random Things I Liked
The modern troupes surrounding books – like all the woman clamoring for “Maehwa’s” next romance book.
Prince Dowan reflecting his jealousy for Hae-ryung when he finally hits the target with his arrow.
The time when Prince Dowan secretly helps out Hae-ryung with all of her work and leaves a little clue on her cheek.
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung Soundtrack
Several songs from the Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung soundtrack stand out including the upbeat Falling in Love, sung by Henry, which plays when Hae-ryung and Prince Dowan first meet. Cha Eun-woo lends his singing chops to the soundtrack with the lovely, Please Remember. My favorite song from the drama is the beautiful ballad/love story, My Dream, sung by Yoon Mi-rae.
